When Ashley’s Jordan Floyd stepped into the batter’s box in the third inning, Cox and the Laney defense gave the shortstop a lot of respect. Floyd is one of the best hitters in the Mideastern Conference, so it was no surprise when the outfield took steps back.

Laney pitcher Shelby Cook jammed Floyd with a pitch that floated into right field. It had all the makings of a bloop single.

“Personally, I was amazed I caught it too. I’m not going to lie,” Cox said. “We all know she’s a good hitter, so (we) all kind of played back. They had me playing back at the fence.”

Cox charged in, tumbled forward and scooped up the third and final out of the frame, keeping the bases clear and the Buccaneers ahead 3-0. Laney went on to earn a 7-1 win and clinch at least a share of the Mideastern Conference regular season championship.

“When girls make plays like that, and we get the play over here (another diving catch in left field later in the game), it keeps the energy flowing and it helps. When you play a team like Ashley, you must keep energy all the time,” Laney coach Jim Fisk said.

For Cox, Tuesday was her last regular season game at Laney. Her senior night got started with a bang in the third inning. It didn’t end there.

With Laney still ahead three in the fourth inning, Cox came up with a single to put runners at the corners with no outs. She advanced to second on a single from Hannah Key, and then third after a Charlene Thompson bunt single.

“I thought (Fisk) said ‘Go.’ But, apparently he said ‘No.’ Those are too close together,” Cox said.

The senior made a beeline for home, sliding in before the Screaming Eagles could corral the ball and get down a tag. Cox joked the moment showed that “big girls don’t run” and that she hasn’t taken home on a play like that since playing in an 11-under league.

After the game, Cox and her teammates ran around the field smearing frosting from a celebratory cake in each others faces. The lighthearted feeling was the perfect way to end the evening.

“Not just because of my efforts tonight, but my team, I feel like they made (tonight) really special. This is one I won’t forget,” Cox said.

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About This Blog

Hey there, I’m Alex Rileyand I’m the high school sports writer for the StarNews in Wilmington.

Before coming to North Carolina, I was covering sports for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle in Cheyenne for two-plus years. Before that, I was in Ellis County, Texas covering sports for Waxahachie Newspapers Inc. Originally I’m from Blythewood, SC and I’m a 2008 grad of the University of South Carolina.

Follow me on Twitter at @StarNewsVarsity or email me at alex.riley@starnewsonline.com.